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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

C-Rel Is A Transcriptional Target Of Mesoderm Inducer In Xenopus Like 1 (Mixl1), Aaron C. Raymond Dec 2013

C-Rel Is A Transcriptional Target Of Mesoderm Inducer In Xenopus Like 1 (Mixl1), Aaron C. Raymond

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

MIXL1, an evolutionarily conserved, paired-type homeobox transcription factor induced by BMP4/TGFb signaling, is a critical regulator of embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. Several lines of evidence implicate MIXL1 in hematopoietic transformation: (i) Aberrant MIXL1 expression is seen in human CML ( Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia) in blast crisis, AML (Acute myelogenous leukemia), B cell lymphomas and pediatric ALL (Acute lymphocytic leukemia). (ii) Retroviral transduction of Mixl1 induces AML in murine models. Nonetheless, mechanisms underlying MIXL1 mediated proliferative, survival advantages are unknown.

The goal of my studies is to understand if and how aberrant MIXL1 expression contributes to leukemogenesis. As a first step, …


Prkca: Identification Of A Novel Downstream Target Of Wt1, Devin Jones Aug 2013

Prkca: Identification Of A Novel Downstream Target Of Wt1, Devin Jones

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Wilms tumor is a childhood tumor of the kidney arising from the undifferentiated metanephric mesenchyme. Tumorigenesis is attributed to a number of genetic and epigenetic alterations. In 20% of Wilms tumors, Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) undergoes inactivating homozygous mutations causing loss of function of the zinc finger transcription factor it encodes. It is hypothesized that mutations in WT1 result in dysregulation of downstream target genes, leading to aberrant kidney development and/or Wilms tumor. These downstream target genes are largely unknown, and identification is important for further understanding Wilms tumor development. Heatmap data of human Wilms tumor protein …


Molecular And Genomic Based Insights Into The Evolution Of Enterococcus Faecium From Commensal To Hospital-Adapted Pathogen, Jessica R. Galloway-Pena May 2013

Molecular And Genomic Based Insights Into The Evolution Of Enterococcus Faecium From Commensal To Hospital-Adapted Pathogen, Jessica R. Galloway-Pena

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

The basis for the recent transition of Enterococcus faecium from a primarily commensal organism to one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections in the United States is not yet understood. To address this, the first part of my project assessed isolates from early outbreaks in the USA and South America using sequence analysis, colony hybridizations, and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) which showed clinical isolates possess virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants that are less abundant or lacking in community isolates. I also revealed that the level of ampicillin resistance increased over time in clinical strains. By sequencing the pbp5 gene, …


Delayed Thrombus Resolution And Fibroproliferative Vascular Wound Healing From Deficiency Of Type Iii Collagen: A Paradoxical Mechanism For Tissue Fragility, Amy J. Reid May 2013

Delayed Thrombus Resolution And Fibroproliferative Vascular Wound Healing From Deficiency Of Type Iii Collagen: A Paradoxical Mechanism For Tissue Fragility, Amy J. Reid

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a heritable disease of connective tissue caused by mutations in COL3A1, conferring a tissue deficiency of type III collagen. Cutaneous wounds heal poorly in these patients, and they are susceptible to spontaneous and catastrophic rupture of expansible hollow organs like the gut, uterus, and medium-sized to large arteries, which leads to premature death. Although the predisposition for organ rupture is often attributed to inherent tissue fragility, investigation of arteries from a haploinsufficient Col3a1 mouse model (Col3a1+/-) demonstrates that mutant arteries withstand even supraphysiologic pressures comparably to wild-type vessels. We hypothesize that injury …